Structure having a folding support surface



H. HOWE Aug. 10, 1943.

STRUCTURE HAVING A FOLDING SUPPORT SURFACE Filed April 24, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 T. 2% a 1 4 \l w 1 w 5 1 m: m: 6 1 7 WZ w 2 1 a, 06% W 4 O- Q0 Q0 U 0O an T- ,0 P11 2? 2 w 2 w v m 4 I I 2 I 7% m 1 a A 7 w Paz.

e w m m WM 4m V0 T i other supporting surface, beyond the division between said portions.

Patented Aug. 10, 1943 STRUCTURE HAVING A FOLDING sorroar SURFACE Harold Howe, ltowayton, Gonn. J Application A ru 24,'1942, Serial No. 440,343"

Claims. ((1311-90 Y This invention relates to folding support structures, such as tables, chairs, ironing-boards and the like. I An object of the invention is to provide'a folding top or supporting surface provided. with sup-.

port means including connecting links so correlated to the top or other support surface that the act offolding together the hinged portions of the top. or other supportsurfa'ce causes collapsing or folding of said support'means;

Another object of the invention is-to provide a folding top or support surface having-collapsible s'upportmeans which is simple and durable and will give firm and. dependable support in use,

without danger of being collapsed inadvertently. Another object'ofthe invention is to provide a folding top or other supporting surface having folding support means adapted, when the structure i folded, tolie substantially in the planes of the folded portions of the-top.

Another object-of the invention is to provide in combination a supporting surface, comprising a plurality of portions hinged together, and support means for said portions respectively including link means, between the support means of one of said portions andthe other of said por tions, adapted, when a folding force is exerted on the portion of said supporting surface to which said link is connected-to transmit said-"force to the support means to which said link is connected.

Another object of the invention is to provide linkage between the foldable support ;means of one portion-"eta foldable supporting surface, comprising a plurality of portions hinged together, and the other portion of said supporting surface; 7

Another object of the invention is to provide connecting means, between the legsof one portion of a foldable table or other supporting'surface comprisingia plurality of portions hinged together and the other-portion of the table or line of Another object of the invention is toprovide a connecting link between one portiongof atable top or, other supporting surface, comprising a plurality of portions hinged together, and the support means for the other portion of said table top or other supporting surface, said link being related to said support means and to saidtable portion so as to provide a lock against inadvertent folding of said structure;

Another object is to provide, in the kind of device described, in combination with-"the fold- .able legs thereof, handle means adapted. to be completely folded; f Fig. 5 is a side transverse sectionalgview ,of a

modification'of the structure shown in Figs. 1-4;; i 'Fig. 6 is aside transverse sectional view show extended position';' I l v g I Fig. '7 is alsidegtransverse sec'ti'onal view of v another modification of the'structureshown in projected for use when the structure is folded and to be withdrawn within the device when it is unfolded. I r Another object isto vice described, foldingmeans related to the fold- "ing leg structure in such'away that said means will be collapsed'when the foldinglegs are collapsed and will be extended in adirection substantially opposite to the legs when'the folding legs are extended. i g 1 7 Otherobjects will be inJpartobvious or in partpointed out hereinafter.

In the'accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a viewin perspective showing the under sideof a folding table embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side transverse sectional View of the structure-shown in Fig. 1 unfolded for use; I a Fig. 3-isa'view similar toFigJZ showing the table partly folded;

Figii-i's a perspective view-showing the-table in more'or less diagrammatically disposition of theparts to provide a lock for the structure in- Fig. 8'is aside-transverse sectional view of another modification of the; structure shown in Figs. 1-4,'showing two-part support legsgf 1 -FigQ 9v is aside transversesectional view'of a supporting surface similar to the embodiment of the inventionshown in Figs. 1 to 4 with 'added members adapted to be projected upwardly when the structure is unfolded.

y In the embodiment of the' invention shown in Figs-1 to 4 inclusiveaisupporting surface is shown divided along its transverse median line -into the portions it and hinged-together by the hinges iZ-'i2 which maybe secured on the bottom surface of flanges l3 and 13: respectively extending downwardly from the end edges ofthe two portions I6 and'l I. "The portions I0 and "ll may be moved on theirhinges l2-l2f from I the unfolded position of Fig. 1 in which the edges] 'of'the portions are in abutting relation, to the position of Fig. i in which the two portions are superimposed one on the other so -that they li e I :in adjacent parallel planes. ff 7 g In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-4 the support means for support surface provide in the kinder deg p portion 2| 9.

portions Ill and II are similar. As illustrated herein the support means for portion I comprises the leg !4 joined together by the cross member I5 which is pivotally mounted by the pivots IS on the cross bar I! the ends of which are slidably seated in the slideways I8 provided in the inner faces of the side flanges I3a projecting downward from the side edges of the supporting surface portion IO.

Extending betweenrthe support :means and=the portion of -the-support-surface 'on Whichthesu'pport means is mounted, links I9 are respectively pivotally secured at one end, by the pivots to the legs I4 respectively; and are 'pivotaliy secured respectively at the other end by Lthe:

pivots 2|, to the portion ID of the supporting surface, preferably by connection to the'lugs22 respectively projecting inwardly from the side of the inner end flange I3 of supporting surface portion I0. Jneans sand the portion of the supporting sur- .face which is across the hinged connection between the supporting surface portions, link 23 .is pivotally secured at one end, by pivot 24, to

.thecrossbar I1, and is 'pivotally securedv at :-its

-other end, .by;pivot 25,10 the ,portion .II 'ofthe supporting surface, preferably :byconnection to .a-lug 0r finger 26 projecting inwardly :from the sideof .the inner :end flange 1.3 of the supporting surface portion II.

In the embodiment of the invention in :Figs. 1-4 the pivotal connection, of link '23 .is:positioned closer to the under surface of portion l0 =of the Supporting surface Ethan the connections .20 :between ;links 419 .and vlegs M respectively.

The pivot connection of link 23 is preferably Extending between the support- :closerrto thepnder surface'of portion H of the supporting surface than the hinge pins of 'hinges I2 and I2 relative .to the under surfaces ofportions Ill and II respectively. The table por-' tions I0 and; II turn on :ashorter radius than link 23 and thus, until'link :23 moves past the plane containing thesaidhinge pins, :a pull is exerted on the link :23 toward :the;pivot' 25. i'Sil'lCB the cross rod I?! is ;at theiinnerrlimit of slideway. 48 when the structure is completely unfolded the :cross and -H itself has to bowout slightly, from its normal straight line position, and the force necessary to :bow outcrossrod I1 is theapproximate measure of :the locking effect obtained resisting inadvertent folding of the structure.

- The support and link :means for the supportji-ng surface :portion --I-'I are similar-to those de-' scribed in connection-, with supporting surface by the pivots IE on *the'cross bar iI 'I the ends ofawhich are slideably seated in the slideways" I8 provided in the inner ffaces of ithe sideflanges 430.; which project downwardly from the side iedgesiof-thesupporting surface portion H. ,FIfhe legs I4 are set closer together :than the;;1egs I4 so that when thestructure is folded the legs 14' will lie between the legs -I= 4. "Links J9 are respectively pivotally secured :at one end by the pivots 23 :to legs 414' respectively and are ;-pivotally secured :respectively'at the other .end, byth6 DiV0tS 21 to the portion 9I,l of the supporting z-surface, preferably by connection to the lugs 22' respectively projecting inwardly from ,theside of the end ,fiangeswl3' of surface portion .II. Extending between the supportmeans for portion I I of the supporting surfaceand portion In of. the supporting surface link 23 is The legs 4,4 are joined together by, I the cross member I5 -whichis -pivota11 y;mounted "tive'spacing of pivot point25' and thehinge pin points of hinges I2 and I2 from the under sur- "face of portions I0 and II respectively of the supportingsurfaces, preferably correspond with :the spacing of the similar points described above .in connection with the support and link means for portion III of the supporting surface. :Also pivotally-secured to cross bar IT by pivots 21 are the ends of a bail or U-shaped handle "28 the arms, a, of which are inserted through, :and'are slideable-in, .bores,b,.extending through the outef end flange 13 of supporting surfac portion I0. r

When .the I device shown in Figs; 1-4 is in unfolded 'position it 'will be seen that the links .23 and :23" transmit to one portion of said supporting surface anyforce exerted on the'support means for-the other portion .of said supporting .surface tending; to :collapse said support means in synchronized :relationship thus giving great strength and rigidity to 1' the supporting. surface whendn ;use,-, and making; separate-locks'unneces- 'sary.

, ;It will also be :seen that when it is desired to fold the structure :the rotation done .of the portions II) and II :of the supporting surface towardone another on 'hinges -:I2I2 causes the .links .23 'and "23 respectively :to exert pressure :outwardly on the upper end ofthe respective support means, causingcross bars I! an'duI'l respectively to slide .outwardly, away from the :line of division between the supporting surface portions,;in slideways I8" and 'I8 respectively. Since the links I9 iand IB'aIespectiVely connect the support means :respectivelyby fixed pivots to the same portions I 0 :or :I I of the supporting surfaces to .which they are' also slidingly connected ptheiorce exerted through 'links :23 and 23 will,

after overcoming the slight toggle l'ock referred ito :above, :cause the-support :means to be collapsed i. e. moved from an unfolded position such :as'is shown :in Fig. 2 to a folded position such-as iss'ho'wnin Fig.4, after passing through the intermediate folding stage indicated in For convenience a small catch or lock, such as gazpin'and hook combination indicated at 29, may

lie-used to-ehold the portions I0 and II of the supporting' 'surface together in folded position. "lin Fig. 5 an embodiment of the invention is shown which is similar to'that shown in Figs.

.1-4 except that t-he support means for the hinged together supporting surface portions I0 and II are-pivotally securedto links which are connected byfifixed pivots to the said respective supporting surface portions. Thus "leg I4 for supporting .pivotallysecured atone end,. by-pivot 2.4 to the 1,5 7

surface portion 10 is pivotally secured to thelink 3-1 by pivot .32, andithe other end of link BI is :connected :to :portion 10 preferably through side flange .I.3a, :by the fixed pivot 33. And the con- ,nectinglin'k'lii isse'curedlat one end to the pivot 32, which may be a rod-extending between a pair iof :legs for support surface portion I0, and is secured ,at'its other end by pivot 25-to a finger :26 projecting inwardly from the downwardly ex- 'ed between the depending flanges tending flange l3 on portion ll of the support surface. 1 V r When the, modification of Fig. is folded link or links 3!, as the case may be, are swung out wardly around the fixed pivot or pivots 33 under the impulse of connecting link 23 carrying the upper end leg or legs rotate into parallelism with the support surface portion l0 around the pivot or pivots of link or links l9; 1

In Fig. 6 I have illustrateddiagrammatically in connection with the embodiment of the in- Vention shown in Figsl to 4 the locking action which I may provide by links 23 if the pivot of link 23 is positioned closer to the {under-surface of the unfolded structure than the hinge pins of hinges l2-|2. As illustrated in Fig. 6 link 23 extends through upwardly extending cut outs II in inner flanges l3 and I3 of supporting surface portions in and ll respectively so that pivot 25 is closer to the under surface of the unfolded support surface than the hinge pins of-hinges lZ-IZ. As pivot 25 moves from the position shown in full lines to the position shown in dotted lines it will tend to move in the direction indicated by the arrow M. This is because tableportion H in turning around the hinge pins of hingeslZ-IT is moving on-a shorter radius than link 23 rotating around pivot 24. Consequently pivot 24 will have to move from the position shown in full lines to the position shown in dotted lines, until pivot 25 reaches the position shown in dotted lines afterwhich the pull on link 23 will cease and a thrust will be exerted in the opposite direction, as supporting surface portion H causing cross bar of leg or legs l4 outwardlywhile the V or legs; vAs illustrated the support. means for v support surface related in a number of rotates further toward folded position, H to move outwardly in slideways l8. It will be understood thaLt-he same principle may be applied in any of the embodiments shown herein to obtain a locking action initially resisting folding of the support surface. i Fig. '7 shows another modification of them- 'vention which differs from the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-4 chiefly in that n the support means are attached to the support surface portions 0n fixed pivots; the link between a support means and a portion of the support surface supported thereby comprises two parts and the link between one suppivoted together, port means and the portion of the supporting surface beyond the line of foldis connected to the pivot of said two-part link means.

As illustrated the supporting surface comprises the portions l0 and II. The leg H is pivotally connected to cross bar l3a ofportion Ill of the supporting surface. The link means between the portion 10 parts 49a and 49b pivotally hinged together by the pivot 53. The other end of link member 49a is pivotally supported on the under side of supporting surface portion 10 on pivot 51, and the link member 49b is pivotally connected at its other end to pivot 52. The connecting link 23'is pivotally connected at one end to the pivot 50 on which link members 49a and 491) are pivoted, and, after extending beyond the line of'division between portions l0 and l I, is secured at its other end to the pivot 25 supported by finger 26 projecting inwardly from the downwardly projecting inner flange member iii of supporting surface portion H. r It will be understood that as the Support sur-. face portions ill and Hare-folded together pivot 52 is caused to move outwardly due to the im- H which is fixedly mount and leg [4 comprises the" supporting surface portions l0 and ll when they are folded together.

In Fig. 8 another modification of the invention is shownlemploying a two-part supportmeans portion 10 comprises the members 44a and 44b pivoted together on the pivot 45. The support means itself ispivot'ally mounted on pivot I1 which may be across bar extending between the downwardly extending-side flanges l3a of the support'surface portion' In. Link member 23 is connected between pivot 45 and pivot 25 supportedby finger 26 extending inwardly from the downwardly projecting .end flange l3 of the portion H and thus spanning the line of division between the two table portions 10 and H. Link If! is pivotally connected at one end tothe pivot 2| supp rted by bracket 22'secured to the inside of the depending'end l3 of support'surface portion In and connected at its other end by pivot 46 to the lower leg portion 44b. 7 v H The leg portions Ma, and 4417 may of course be different ways, and if desired may be formed of three-sided angle members so that one portion is foldable within the other portion. V

As the support surface portions in and H are folded together the impulse delivered by link member 23 on pivot bar. 45 causes the leg mom bers 44a and 44b to be collapsed as shown in dotted lines.

The embodiment of the invention shownin Fig. 9 is similar tot-hat illustrated in Figs.-14inelusive with the addition of means adapted to be projected upwardly from the supporting surface when the structure is unfolded and to be collapsed into substantial parallelism with the folded portions of the structure] Asillustrated the structure comprises the; supporting; surface portions II) and H and has-a support means [4 Link member 50 is secured to leg"! by pivot 5| and is connected at its other end to pivot 52 which may be a rod between the downwardly dependingflanges l3a. of support surface portion 10.

Also fixed to pivot ll and extendin upwardly.

withlrelation to the support surfac'e'portionv [0 when it is in unfolded position is a member '53 and extending upwardly from pivot 52 in similar manner is member 54a-b. Also fixed at one end V of pivot 52 is a member 55 the other end of which isconnected to member 53, by pivot 56. Preferably support surface portion I5 is slotted to permit the passage therethrough of members 52, 53,

and 55 but it would of course be possible to have these membersbent around the side edges of support surface portion l5. :Members 5 5a, and 541) are pivoted together by pivot '55; the lower end of 54b being attached to member 50 by piv'o't'52.

A member 51 is pivoted to the upper end of member 5411 by pivot 58;and the other end of 'member 51 is pivoted to member 53 by pivot 59; I

When tablepo'rtions l and ll are folded to ward one'another connecting rod l1 will'slide rearwardly in the slideway1l8 carrying withrit the upper end of leg members l4 and the lower end of member 53 thus causing members 53, 51kb, 55, and 51' to be collapsed into substantial parallelism to the upper-surface of portion while leg I4 is moving into substantial par-a allelism to support surface portion HI,

As there are many possibleembodiments of -the above invention and as many changes might be made inthe'embodiments set forth above the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. i

I claim: v 1

1'. In a device'of'the kind described the combination of a top or other supporting surface comprising a plurality of portions hinged together, support means for saidportions slidingly connected to the under side of said portions respectively, and a connecting link between each of said portions respectively and the support means for the other of said portions, said connecting link being pivotally connected to said support means adjacent the said sliding connection between the said support means and 'said top or supporting surface portion whereby, as the said portions are moved from abutting relation to superimposed relation, the upper end of said sup!- port means is moved awayfrom the hinged connection between said portions, and connecting means, pivoted at one end to said support means below its connection to said connecting link'and pivoted at its other end to said portion supported by said support means, whereby, as the upper end of said support means slides outwardly along its slideway in said portion, the lower end of said support means will move in toward the said hinged connection between the top portions;

2. Ina device of the kind described the combination of a top or other supporting surface comprising a plurality of portions hinged together, support means for said portions, slidingly connected to the under side of said portions respectively, and a connecting link between each of said portions respectively and the support means for the other of said portions, said connectlng link being pivotally connected to said support meansadjacent the said sliding connection-between the said support means and said top or supporting surface portion and connecting means pivoted at .one end to said support means below its connection to said connecting linkand pivoted at its other end to said portion supported by said support means, and a handle member, slidingly supported under one of said top portions and having extended arms pivotally secured to said support means adjacent its upper end, adapted to be projected beyond the endof said top portion when the said device is folded and to be withdrawn beneath the top portion when the device is in unfolded position.

3. In a device of the kind described the combination of a top'or other supporting surface comprising a plurality of portions hinged together, support means for said portions, sliding- .ly connected to said portions respectively, and a connecting link between each of said portions respectively and the support means for the other of said portions, said connecting linkbeing pivotally connected to said support means and said supporting surface portion, and connecting means pivoted at one end to said support means below its, connection to said, connecting link and pivoted at its other end to said portion supported by said support means, a member pivotally-connected at its lower endto said support means adjacent its upper end, and means pivotally connected between said member. intermediate its ends and the respective top portion for said support means whereby said member is collapsed when said support means is collapsed and is raised into angularrelation to said top portion when said support means is unfolded.

4. In a device of the kind described in combination a supporting surface comprising a plurality of portions hinged together, support means for each of said portions the upper ends of said support means being mounted respectively inslideways extending lengthwise of said portions, connection links pivotally connected at both ends between said portions respectively and the. support means for the other portion adjacent the said slideably mounted end of said support means, bracemembers pivotally connected atone end to one of the support means respectively, and pivotally connected at the other end to :the portion of said'supporting surface on which said support means is slideably mounted, a member associated at one end with the slideable upper end of one of said support members so asto be slideable therewith, said member projecting upwardly relativeto said supporting surface, when the latter is extended, in a direction opposite to the support member with which it is associated, and a brace member pivotally secured at one endto said member intermediate its, ends and pivotally connected at its other end a to the same supporting surface portion to which said member is connected.

5. In a device of thekind described in com- .bination a; supporting surface comprising a pluthe table top to an extended rality of portionshinged together, support means for each ofsaid'portions the-upper ends of said support means being mounted respectively in slideways extending lengthwise of said portions, connectionlinks pivotally connected'atboth ends between each of said portions respectively and the support means for the other portion, brace members each pivotally connected at one end to .one 'of the support means for one of said portions respectively and pivotally connected at the other end to theportion of said supporting surface on which said support means is slideably mounted, a member associated at one end with the slideable upper end of one of said support members so as to be, slideable therewith and adapted to be projected upwardly from said supporting surface when said surface is unfolded, and abrace member pivotally secured at one end 'to said member intermediate its ends and pivotally connected at its other end to the same supporting surface portion to whichsaid member is connected, and two links pivotally joined together at one extremity of each, the other ends of said tively to said member intermediate its ends and to, thesaid supporting surface portion to which said member is connected.

, 6. In a table having a top divided transversely into two portions foldable along-its median transverse line from aposition in a single-plane into a position in two parallel planes, the combination of, support means for said table top portions respectively each spaced from said median line and movable from a folded position substantially parallel to position angularl disposedwith relation to the table top, and con links being pivotally joined respechinged together so that it is necting link means; interposedbetween; each support meansand the {table top portion on the oppositeside of saidmedian transverse line from said support means so that when the table top is folded said link means will exert athrust, on said support means and when the table top is unfolded said link means-will exert a pull on said support means. 7 P TA folding table comprising a top divided transversely into two portions hi nged'together,

leg support means for said portions respectively, each of said leg support means being movable from a position substantially normal to its table top portion to a collapsed position substantially parallel to said table top portion, and means interconnecting each of said leg support means respectively and the table top portion other than i to the said slideably secured at their upper ends to one of I said portions for movement in a plane parallel to the surface of said portion, link members pivotally secured at one end to said legs respectively and at the other end to the same table top portion as the legs to whichthey are respectively secured, cross members joining the legs of each pair of legs respectively, and other link members for said pairs or legs respectively, each pivotally other 7 of said members being pivotally connected portion to which said support means connected, and link means pivotally connected at one end tothe point of' connection between theinembers comprising a folding brace and Div-- 'otally connected at its other end to the supporting surface portion beyond the'said 'medianline fromthe said-folding brace.

11.-'In a folding structure of the kind "He-- scribed'includingga supporting surface dividedv transversely along'its r tions hinged together, collapsible support means for each of said supportingsurface portions and members interconnecting the said support means to each of said supporting surface portions re-' spectively, a multi-bar-linkage comprising 001- lapsible support means linkage and operating linkage having one or more links in common.

12. A support surface comprising two centrally hinged sections, support legs connected to each section, a link means pivotally connected between said legs and their sections respectively, connecting rods pivotally connected-between the support legs of each section respectively and the other section beyond the line of centrally located hinge points, so thatinfolding two sections together the lower ends of said legs fold toward the center in synchronous action. I

13. In a folding structure hinged together portions of a supporting surface,

secured at one end to one of said cross members and pivotally secured at its other end to the table portion across said line of fold of said table from the said cross member to which it is secured.

9. A folding table comprising a top divided along its transverse median line into two portions, means for hingedly joiningthe two portions so that the structure may assume alternately an extended position in which the two portions are in abutting relation in the same plane and a folded position in which the two portions are in adjacent parallel planes, flanges extending downwardly around the periphery of each of said portions, support means for each portion of said table including slideways in the said flanges and means for keying the upper end of said support means in the said slideways so that said support means may be moved from an upright position substantially at right angles to the table top portion to a collapsed position substantially parallel with the table top portion, connecting link means pivotally secured atone end to said support means and, at its other end, to the under surface of the same table top portion on which said support means is mounted, and other connecting link means pivotally secured to the said support means at one end and pivotally secured at its other end beyond said transverse median line beneath the other of said table top portions.

10. A folding supporting surface divided along its transverse median line into two portions, means for hingedly joining the two portions, for movement from abutting to superimposed position and vice versa support means pivotally connected at the upper end to each of said portions respectively, folding braces for each of said support means comprising two members hinged together adjacent one end of each, the other end of one of said members being pivotally connected a part of the other portion of said supporting surface, foldable support means pivotally joined. to said first mentioned supporting surface por tion, a connecting member, operative at all times including when the structure is being folded and -unfolded, extending from said other supporting surface portion to said foldablesupport means, and connecting means extending-between said foldable support means and saidfilst mentioned supportingsurface portion.

14. In a device of the kind described, atop or other supporting surface comprising a plurality of portions each of said portions having a downwardly projecting flange along one edge, and

hinge means interconnectingthe said flanges of v said portions, collapsible support means for said portions respectively, and resilient link means pivotally connected at one end to the support means of one of said portions and extending across the hinged-together downwardly depending flanges and pivotally secured at the other 'end to the table portion across said hinged line of fold from the said crossmember to which it is secured, the said hinges interconnecting the downwardly extending flanges of said portions,

being positioned below the top or other supporting surface sufilciently so that the said hinges'lie' below an imaginary plane, containing both the". pivotal connection of said link means to the'support means of one of said portions and its pivotal connectionto the other of said table top por -j tions, so that when the device is in fully extended.

position the link means will be slightly bowed downwardly around the said hinged-together downwardly depending flanges of said portions and will therefore tend to straighten and to thus initiate the folding action of the device when it is lifted preparatory to folding.

15. In a folding table comprising a top divided into a plurality of portions joined together by hinge means, and leg support means for said portions respectively, movable fromra position sub stantially normal to its table top portion to a colto said support means', andthefother end of the median line into two per- 

